Call: +91 7384718607
Call: +91 7384718607
From tall, snowy mountains to plunging valleys, Sikkim has it all. Sikkim is a wonderland, blessed with immensely beautiful places to visit and explore. It’s a land of mixed people and cultures. When you are planning to visit Sikkim, know that there are so many places to choose from!
Each place in Sikkim, North, South, East, and West, has its own unique features. There are people belonging to different ethnic groups in Sikkim in different places, that’s why when you visit Sikkim, you will feel as if you have visited many countries all within one state!
BEST TIME TO VISIT SIKKIM
Sikkim lies in a mountainous region and experiences mostly a pleasant climate but also severe winters due to the high altitude and proximity to the Himalayas. Monsoons are life-threatening due to numerous landslides so there's a lull in tourism activity during this time. Read more about the different seasons here to know the best time to visit this popular holiday destination.
HOW TO REACH
The closest airport is Bagdogra Airport and the nearest railway station is NJP, both in West Bengal. To enter Sikkim, you will have to hire a shared or private cab, which will drive you to Gangtok, Sikkim's capital city. It's approx. a 4-hour drive.
PLACES TO VISIT IN SIKKIM
If you had to choose between the multitudes of places to visit in Sikkim, here are the top 10 places everyone must visit in Sikkim and why:
PLACES TO VISIT IN EAST SIKKIM
Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir
Changu Lake is one place in Sikkim that will always show up on Google images. It is famous for being one of the few places in the world with a high-elevation lake that you can visit. Sikkim prides itself on this major tourist attraction by offering yak rides around the lake and a gondola lift ropeway. It is one of the top places to visit in Sikkim. In order to visit this place, you have to hire a taxi from Gangtok, Sikkim. The journey will take about 2 to 3 hours depending on road conditions and traffic.
Blog Post: From greens to frosty whites, witness Sikkim's seasonal shift at Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir
Changu Lake - one of the best places to visit in East Sikkim
Baba Mandir (Saint Temple) is a place that honors a fallen soldier, Harbhajan Singh, of the Indian army. Many tourists like to visit this place since it is on the border of Sikkim and Tibet. Captain Harbhajan Singh was killed on the Indo-China border at Nathula pass Sikkim. People believe that he still guards the Indian soldiers of Nathula. Near his shrine within the temple, water bottles of spiritual water are offered. Many people believe there is healing in the water.
Note: Foreign Tourists can visit Changu Lake, East Sikkim in a group of 2 or more, whereas they are prohibited from Nathula and the Indo-China border.
PLACES TO VISIT IN WEST SIKKIM
Pelling: Glass Skywalk and Chenrezig Statue
If you want to catch an excellent view of Mt. Khangchendzonga then Pelling, Sikkim, is one of the places you must visit in Sikkim! Beyond the spectacular view, however, there are two major attractions you must visit.
Pelling, Sikkim is home to India’s first glass Skywalk! This spectacular structure is one of the popular places of tourist attractions you must visit. This skywalk in Sikkim is 200ft long and 55ft tall. Walking across it makes you feel like a bird soaring into the valley. You can also visit Sikkim’s 4th largest statue, Chenrezig, which is a Tibetan Buddhist (the main religion of Sikkim) statue that signifies Buddha’s sympathy. The name means, “One who looks with an unwavering eye.” This statue forms a triangle with two other prominent Buddhist statues: Tathagata in Ravangla and Padmasambhava near Namchi in a place called Samdrupste.
Blog Post: Skywalking amidst the valleys —My Sangacholi experience
Visit the glass skywalk at Pelling in Sikkim
Border of Nepal: Dentam Singshore Bridge and Uttarey
Just beyond Pelling, you will find a place to visit that has Asia’s second tallest suspension bridge in Dentam, Sikkim. Singshore Bridge in Sikkim is an engineering marvel. It stretches out across a deep gorge of 100 meters and is 240 meters long. It’s a great place to grab a selfie and test your fear of heights!
After visiting Singshore Bridge, you can continue onto a place called Uttarey, Sikkim. This is one of the rustic, rural places of Sikkim surrounded by sherpa villages. This is the starting place for the Singalila Trek and for deliveries to the Indian army border patrol. This trek is gaining popularity as backpackers learn more about the uncharted places of Sikkim.
Sombaria: Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary
If you have learned anything about Sikkim, it's that the flora and fauna of this place are astounding. The climate of different places of Sikkim makes it a prime place to visit to experience all the beauty of flowers in their natural habitat.
You can visit a small town in West Sikkim called Sombaria to visit the place called Varsey Rhododendron Sanctuary. The best season to visit this place is around March or April when the flowers will be in full bloom in Sikkim.
The short, generally flat hike is unique in Sikkim. The grounds are taken care of well with adequate pavers and cleared paths for walking. It’s one of the great places to visit with family and children in Sikkim.
Blog Post: Barsey Rhododendron Sanctuary offers a magnificent view of Mount Khangchendzonga
Yuksom: Dzongri Goechella Trek and Norbugang Choten - Places to visit in Sikkim
If you are coming to Sikkim to trek and visit places located off the beaten path, then Yuksom is a place you must visit! Backpackers start their journey to Kanchenjunga Base Camp from Yuksom. It is called the Dzongri Goechela trek.
Visit this place even if you aren’t an avid trekker, you can enjoy learning about the rich history of this remote corner of Sikkim. Yuksom was the first capital of Sikkim established in 1642 by the first Sikkim king or Chogyal, Phuntsog Namgyal. You can be a part of the history of Sikkim by visiting the Throne of Norbugang, the first coronation site of the monarch of Sikkim.
Blog Post: Goechala – How a trek taught me “Lessons for Life!!”
PLACES TO VISIT IN SOUTH SIKKIM
Namchi: Ropeway, Samdrupste, and Chardham
Namchi, Sikkim is a great place to visit nowadays. The tourism industry is growing steadily as more and more attractions are being introduced. Namchi in Sikkim has emerged with many places of attractions and attracts visitors from everywhere. Most recently, the long ropeway that links Namchi bazaar with Samdrupste is up and running. It soars high above the valley between the town and the neighboring mountain. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it is quite the experience! Definitely photo-worthy.
When you visit Samdrupste, you will see a major center of Buddhist pilgrimage in Sikkim. The statue of Guru Padmasambhava, the patron saint of Sikkim is set at 2134 meters. The first stones of construction were laid down by the spiritual leader of Buddhism, the Dalai Lama himself. Visitors who chose to visit this holy site must endure a steep 250-meter hike uphill from the parking lot, or ride the ropeway up. Once you reach Namchi in Sikkim make sure to visit all the places nearby, as well.
Char Dham is one of the places in Sikkim for visitors who practice Hinduism. However, it is also one of the popular places of tourist attractions. It is a pilgrimage as well as a cultural center where you can visit an 87ft statue of Lord Shiva surrounded by replicas of the four Dhams that are found around the nation. It is located on Solohok Hill 5km from Namchi, Sikkim.
Blog Post: Among giants: How Namchi got the best of me as a kid
Visit Shirdi Sai Temple at Namchi in Sikkim
Ravangla: Buddha Park
Another spiritual site that you can visit in Sikkim is located in Ravangla, South Sikkim. Buddha Park or Tathagata Tsal in Sikkim is a grand park filled with open green spaces and a 130ft gold plated Buddha statue gracefully overlooking the park. Buddha Park is one of the famous places to visit in Sikkim and views of Mt. Khangchendzonga can be seen on a clear day.
When you visit Buddha Park in South Sikkim, you can find an immaculately decorated museum underneath the Buddha statue. It chronicles the life and awakening of Buddha. Visitors of any religious background can enjoy wandering around the wonderful park and places nearby and learning about Buddhism through beautiful artwork in Sikkim.
Blog Post: Buddha Park (A fantasy land)
Buddha Park at Ravangla - a must-visit place in South Sikkim
Temi Tea Garden
The elevation of Sikkim and the composition of the soil is prime for growing tea. Temi Tea garden is located in South Sikkim and the Sikkim Government boasts that it is one of the best in India and the world! It’s a stunning area to visit, drive through, and if you want to extend your visit, there are a few resorts and guesthouses to choose from. Temi Tea Garden is also one of the popular places of attractions to visit in South Sikkim.
The best time to visit South Sikkim is November through April. You will have clear blue skies and will get to experience the bloom of local cherry trees. It’s one of the spectacular places to take photos, especially when the snow-capped peaks on the horizon show their face.
Visit Temi Tea Garden in Sikkim
PLACES TO VISIT IN NORTH SIKKIM
Lachung: Yumthang Valley and Zero Point - Places to visit in Sikkim
One of the most breathtaking places in India is Yumthang Valley situated above Lachung, Sikkim. It’s a place you must visit if you go nowhere else in Sikkim. This place in Sikkim is adoringly called the Valley of Flowers. During peak season in the spring months, the place will be covered in Rhododendron flowers.
Lachen and Lachung in North Sikkim are home to thousands of yak. Yumthang Valley is the place yak herders take their yak to graze during the warmer months. Yumthang Valley is 3,564 meters (11,693 ft), so when you visit, you may experience some fatigue or lightheadedness.
Blog Post: Explore the extremities of North Sikkim Homestays in North Sikkim
Yumthang Valley in winter in Sikkim
Lachen: Gurudongmar Lake
When you visit the places of North Sikkim, you can get a real flavor of the traditional Sikkim culture. Depending on the place, you will meet Lepcha or Bhutia people. Lepcha’s are nature-loving, secluded folks who are deemed the natives of the land. The place you will find them is in the protected forests of Sikkim, Jungu.
To interact with Bhutia culture, you can venture along rugged terrain to the village nestled in the mountain, Lachen, Sikkim. This is one of the coldest places in Sikkim, but visitors from all over India and the world love to visit it. The tourism industry is rapidly growing and it’s actually one of the best places to get internet service. The best time to visit Lachen is November and April.
For Indian visitors, you can visit one of the highest lakes in the world, Gurudongmar Lake sitting at 5425 meters (17,800ft) in Sikkim. The place is a Buddhist cultural site and is named after Tibetan Buddhism founder Guru Rinpoche. This place in Sikkim is just a mere 5km from the Tibetan border.
Note: Foreign visitors can apply for a special permit to visit Gurudongmar Lake in Sikkim from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Delhi.
Blog Post: The ever-enchanting Gurudongmar Lake, Sikkim
Visit Sikkim’s Most Prized Places
Whether you are visiting with your family or your friends; whether you’re looking for relaxation or you’re looking for adventure, Sikkim has something for everyone. Each place in Sikkim is unique and caters to different types of visitors. What’s on your list for visiting Sikkim?
Also read about:
Breathtaking places to visit in Sikkim
Top 20 things to do in Gangtok
Home of the wild: National parks in Sikkim
How to choose the best Sikkim Tour Package
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Thanks for your recommendations. Loved the videos too!
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